SBB Cargo railway company uses first hybrid locomotive

SBB Cargo will put into service a fleet of 30 hybrid locomotives for route and shunting operations before the end of 2013

The freight transport unit of the Swiss Federal Railways has initiated a new round of reduction of environmental pollution. On 9 March the first of 30 ordered hybrid locomotives was baptized at the shunting yard Limmattal and put into operation. This new acquisition allows for a more economical and greener wagonload traffic, as the company states. The locomotive will be operated both on routes and in shunting service.

With the use of a hybrid locomotive SBB Cargo assumes a pioneering role in the European rail freight transport segment. The delivery of the second locomotive is scheduled for May, the remaining 28 ordered vehicles will be supplied by Stadler Winterthur AG in 3-week cycles until the end of 2013. The total order volume amounts to CHF 88 million, including spare parts package. The hybrid locomotives will be operated for more than 90 per cent electrically. Only on the sidings without overhead lines the auxiliary diesel engine will be used. The annual CO2 reduction compared to today is around 4,000 tons.

The high power of 1500 kilowatts makes the locomotive suitable both for distance and for shunting operation. SBB Cargo thus gains flexibility in production. The drivers can quickly switch between electric and diesel-auxiliary drive. This saves time and money because there is no need to change locomotives to drive on the non-electrified sidings of the last mile. The operating and maintenance costs of the hybrid locomotive are significantly lower than those of the old shunting fleet. In addition, SBB Cargo is expecting a much higher vehicle availability.

Quelle: LogEastics
Portal: www.logistik-express.com